On September 5, 2023, while hiking along the Cloverdale Loop Trail near the former pioneer settlement of Piety Hill, in western Shasta County, California. I stumbled upon this stone structure. What is it? Maybe you can answer that. Is it a chimney? Is it historic, modern or mining related? Check out this mysterious stone structure in my newest YouTube video:
Subscribe To
Posts
All Comments
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Monday, September 4, 2023
Clear Creek Area Abandoned Gold Mine
An abandoned gold mine I found on September 4, 2023, on a local trail system in the Clear Creek area of western Shasta County, California. It's a small mine but come check it out with me. Watch the video here:
Filmed on location 9-4-2023.
Monday, August 28, 2023
MYSTIC MINING AT THE BOSWELL GROUP OF MINES
Video filmed on location. © 2022 & 2023
Was a medium from San Francisco really used to conduct mystic mining at the Boswell Group of Mines? I claim the account to be hogwash, but local media outlets of the time document these interesting accounts claiming that W.S. Boyd and his mining partner George W. Boswell utilized these spiritualists to gain success in their Boswell Group of Mines. Later on, this property was owned and operated by the Redding Consolidated Mines. Join my friend Robert Frazier, host of California Unearthed, and I, as we take you on a historical tour of these mystical mining grounds and see what remains of them today.
Resources:
Of Interest To Prospectors - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 10, 1890
Attention Prospectors - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 31, 1890
Some of Our Mines - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, September 19, 1891
Real Estate Transfers - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 8, 1897
1900 U.S. Census
Proof Of Labor Book 1, Page 367 - Miners Dream mine, recorded by W.S. Boyd on January 20, 1900
Proof Of Labor Book, 1 Pages 492-493 - Miners Dream mine, recorded by W.S. Boyd on September 10, 1900
Proof Of Labor Book 2, Page 226
Spiritually Worked Mining Property - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 9, 1901
Spirits Tell How To Work A Mine - The Red Bluff Daily News newspaper, August 16, 1901
The Daily Free Press newspaper of Redding, August 9, 1902
Mrs. Ada Boswell Is Dead; Funeral This Afternoon - The Red Bluff Daily News newspaper of Red Bluff, March 15, 1922
Construction Chief of the Boswell Mine Arrives - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 10, 1929
Building Powerline To Muletown Consolidated - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, February 11, 1929
Shasta Mining Area Active - The Blue Lake Advocate newspaper of Blue Lake, February 16, 1929
To Increase Force - The Blue Lake Advocate newspaper of Blue Lake, May 11, 1929
Redding Consolidated Must Pay the Estate of W.C. Stevens $11,000 - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, December 22, 1930
Personal Property At Old Boswell Mine Sold As Junk, $1,500 - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, January 27, 1931
H.F. Musser, Local Mining Man, Kills Self - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, January 31, 1931
Last Rites Are Held For H.F. Musser - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, February 2, 1931
Boswell Group Of Mines Leased - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, April 6, 1932
Mines Sold - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, January 6, 1933
Shasta Mine Group Leased - The Blue Lake Advocate newspaper of Blue Lake, April 16, 1933
Woman Files Many Claims In Shasta Area - The Blue Lake Advocate newspaper of Blue Lake, September 17, 1932
Gravity Mill Installed - The Blue Lake Advocate newspaper of Blue Lake, May 6, 1933
Miner Slightly Injured In 30-Foot Fall - The Blue Lake Advocate newspaper of Blue Lake, April 14, 1934
George Boswell Passes On Here At Age Of 78 - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, April 25, 1934
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Cottonwood Cemetery, Established 1886.
Filmed on location.
Even though the Cottonwood Cemetery was established in 1886, the first burial here on this property was made in 1874. This video documents the amazing history of the historic Cottonwood Cemetery. Find out more in this episode of Exploring Shasta County History.
Resources:
1867 California Voters Register
1870 U.S. Census
William McClure Wilson’s in the U.S., General Land Office Records, 1776-2015
Thursday, August 10, 2023
The Bedford & Wright Family Feud of Anderson: And the Historic John F. Bedford Company Building at 2016 North Street.
Filmed on location.
A feud similar to Hatfield’s & McCoy’s of Kentucky and West Virginia? Not quite. A separate family feud? Yes, Shasta County’s own statewide famous feud is highlighted in this YouTube video from Exploring Shasta County History, learn about the Bedford & Wright family feud which statewide media coverage of the time period compared it to the nationally famous Hatfield’s and McCoy’s family feud which was the foundation for the television game show Family Feud. I also dive into the history of the building at 2016 North Street in Anderson, a historic building which was owned and operated by the Bedford family and was also part of a shooting during the feud here in Shasta County. Find out more on this episode of Exploring Shasta County History… ©2021, 2022 & 2023
1860 U.S. Census
John Franklin Bedford marriage to Ella V. Wright, June 2, 1857, Fulton, Georgia.
1866 California Voters Registration
New Firm - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, February 16, 1867
Notice - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, February 16, 1867
1868 California Voters Registration
1870 U.S. Census
Born - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, May 14, 1870
New Store at Anderson - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, January 4, 1873
Family Row Nearly Ends in Murder - The San Francisco Call newspaper of San Francisco, March 14, 1900
Was Attacked by Uncle - The Napa Weekly Journal newspaper of Napa, May 26, 1911
New Store at Anderson - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, January 4, 1873
New Store! - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, January 4, 1873
New Store! - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, March 15, 1873
In Brief - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, April 12, 1873
Sample - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, April 19, 1873
Bedford & Wright - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, August 30, 1873
Agricultural Implements - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, October 25, 1873
Born - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, December 18, 1873
Anderson - The Pacific Rural Press newspaper of San Francisco, May 10, 1879
Attempted Suicide - The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, July 16, 1879
1880 U.S. Census
Anderson - The Pacific Rural Press newspaper of San Francisco, March 4, 1882
The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, November 3, 1883
Anderson “Echoes” - The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, December 12, 1885
Real Estate - The Republican Free Press newspaper of Anderson, June 23, 1888
Anderson - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, September 15, 1888
The Republican Free Press newspaper of Redding, February 8, 1890
The Free Press newspaper of Redding, July 23, 1892
Anderson Flour Mill Burned -The Chico Weekly Enterprise newspaper of Chico, March 15, 1895
Married At A Ripe Age - The Daily Free Press newspaper of Redding, April 3, 1899
Climax of the Quarrel - The Daily Free Press newspaper of Redding, October 10, 1899
It May Be Sensational - The Daily Free Press newspaper of Redding, October 20, 1899
Elusive Doctor Davison - The Daily Free Press newspaper of Redding, November 20, 1899
Says He Married Her For Her Money - The San Francisco Chronicle newspaper of San Francisco, December 21, 1899
1900 U.S. Census
Sent Back To Shasta County - The San Francisco Chronicle newspaper of San Francisco, February 1, 1900
Family Row Nearly Ends in Murder - The San Francisco Call newspaper of San Francisco, March 14, 1900
Much Bad Blood and Bird Shot - San Jose Herald newspaper of San Jose, March 14, 1900
Mrs. J.F. Bedford Is Seriously Sick - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, April 2, 1901
Mrs. Virginia Bedford Dead - The Chico Weekly Enterprise newspaper of Chico, April 5, 1901
Death Of Mrs. Mary Lawshe - The Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 9, 1904
From Neighboring Towns and Adjacent Counties - The Chico Record newspaper of Chico, May 11, 1904
Anderson Has Disastrous Blaze - Chico Record newspaper of Chico, August 8, 1905
Red Bluff - The Chico Record newspaper of Chico, September 30, 1905
Packing House to Be Built - The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, June 21, 1906
A Fruit Packing House To Be Built - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 22, 1906
Good Season for Fruit - The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, September 3, 1907
Pioneer Merchant Is Dead - The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, November 29, 1910
Died - The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, November 29, 1910
Pioneer Merchant Dies At the Age of Seventy-Six - The San Francisco Call newspaper of San Francisco, November 29, 1910
Want Will Probated - The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, December 3, 1910
James F. Bedford Beaten And Stabbed By Jeremiah Wright - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 24, 1911
James Bedford Beaten And Stabbed In Street -The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, May 24, 1911
Shasta Man Stabs His Old Partner - The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, May 24, 1911
Stabbed By a Former Partner - Colusa Daily Sun newspaper of Colusa, May 24, 1911
Bedford-Wright Feud Like Those of Kentucky Hills - The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, May 25, 1911
Victim of Assault Is in No Danger - Colusa Daily Sun newspaper of Colusa, May 25, 1911
Shasta Merchant Stabbed on Street - The Chico Record newspaper of Chico, May 25, 1911
James F. Bedford Doing Splendidly - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 25, 1911
Many Prisoners In Shasta - The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, May 26, 1911
Old Feud Ends with Assault - The Marysville Daily Appeal newspaper of Marysville, May 26, 1911
To Take Bedford To The Lane Hospital - The Courier-Free Press newspaper of Redding, May 29, 1911
Bedford Will Not Prosecute Wright - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, June 11, 1911
Bitter Feud Ends in Shasta County - The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, June 11, 1911
Cracksmen Fail to Secure Loot - The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, December 23, 1911
Will Subdivide Tract - The Sacramento Daily Union newspaper of Sacramento, January 1, 1913
Jeremiah Pearson Wright, Pioneer of Anderson, Dies At Oakland, Aged 71 Years. - The Anderson Valley News newspaper of Anderson, May 25, 1916
Card Of Thanks - The Anderson Valley News newspaper of Anderson, May 25, 1916
James F. Bedford Sues F.B. Collum $725 On Promisary Note - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 18, 1927
James F. Bedford, Pioneer Merchant, Passes At Home - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 21, 1936
J.F. Bedford's Largest In Town History - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 22, 1936
Bedford Estate Is Bequeathed To Wife and Mrs. Donnelly - The Searchlight newspaper of Redding, January 30, 1936
Dunlap Buys Bedford Store - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, February 1, 1944
Dunlaps Store In Anderson Is Remodeled - The Redding Record Searchlight newspaper of Redding, October 7, 1944
The Town Of Anderson Grew From Teamsters Campground Site written by Rosena A. Giles - The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, January 4, 1951
James Franklin Bedford (1859-1936) Find A Grave Memorial (Note: an error on this Find A Grave claims that James Franklin Bedford died in 1935. That is incorrect.)
Sunday, July 23, 2023
George W. Smith (1858-1891)
George W. Smith (1858-1891). The above photograph was taken in September of 1877, possibly at Redding, California, at the age of 19-years-old. The photographer is unknown. From the collection of Jeremy Tuggle.
This short blog chronicles the life of George W. Smith who was born in 1858 in California, his father, Gottlieb George Kaylor Smith, was 46 and his mother, Elizabeth Jane (Lamberson) Smith, was 25 at the time of his birth. He had three brothers and six sisters during his parents' union. George W. Smith was raised at Horsetown, a son of a local farmer in Shasta County, and he attended school in the area as shown in the 1870 U.S. Census. He later became a mill worker at the Eagle Creek sawmill near Eagle Creek, (now Ono). Smith was accused of poisoning the livestock of a local rancher named George Fenwick whose ranch was on the South Fork of Cottonwood Creek.
On May 23, 1891, George W. Smith was caught by Fenwick trespassing on his property, and Fenwick charged at Smith in which a fatal quarrel took place with Fenwick shooting and instantly killing Smith on his land with a loaded gun. Smith died on May 23, 1891, at the Fenwick Ranch on the South Fork of Cottonwood Creek at the age of 33. The local sheriff was called to the scene and a coroner's inquest report was held by the local coroner the shooting was documented as suspicious and the sheriff took Fenwick into custody it was later determined that there was not enough evidence to hold George Fenwick for murder. Fenwick was discharged from custody and released from the Shasta County Jail in early June of 1891. George W. Smith (1858-1891) was my maternal great-great-great granduncle. He is supposedly buried on Rainbow Lake Road on land that is now private property. He is one of two burials at this small cemetery on Rainbow Lake Road the other burial is that of his younger brother Issac Jonas Smith (1870-1876) who died young.
Sources:
1870 U.S. Census
1880 U.S Census
The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, May 30, 1891
The Shasta Courier newspaper of Shasta, June 6, 1891
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
THE NICHOL'S BOARDING HOUSE AT BALL'S FERRY, CIRCA 1880.
Above: a partially faded photograph of the Nichol's boarding house a two-story clapboard style farmhouse structure at Ball's Ferry, circa 1880, with the family and boarders of Stacy Mahlon Nichols standing in front of the building. From the collection of Jeremy Tuggle.
Stacy Mahlon Nichols was a native of Loudoun County, Virginia who was born to Isaac Gibson Nichols and Louisa (White) Nichols on July 25, 1856. By 1860, his family settled at Mount Gilead, Virginia, where his father was a farmer and he attended school in that area. Later, they relocated to Springfield, New Hampshire County, West Virginia, where Stacy is documented at the age of thirteen-years-old but is recorded on the 1870 U.S. Census as "Tacy" which is incorrect. He became a well-educated person.
On May 27, 1879, Stacy registered to vote at the age of twenty-two-years-old recording his place of residence as Shingletown where he was farming. Then on, June 4, 1879, Stacy Mahlon Nichols married Amanda Ellen Hammans, my paternal great-great grand aunt, and a daughter of Shasta County pioneers, Henry Hammans Sr., and Hannah (Moss) Hammans. They were joined together in holy matrimony at Darrah's Mill, by Justice of the Peace, J.S. Darrah, in eastern Shasta County, near Shingletown. To this union, Amanda bore Stacy five children consisting of:
1.) Mary Letetia Nichols (May 1, 1880 - August 19, 1881) [She is buried at Shingletown in the historic Ogburn-Inwood Cemetery. Her first name is mistakenly etched on her headstone as May]2.) Grace Estelle Nichols (April 29, 1882 - July 29, 1972) married first: George Henry Bacon and married second: Isaac Benjamin Ury
3.) Bertha Irilla Nichols (November 15, 1884 - February 27, 1918) married William H. Martel
4.) Mabel Inez Nichols (July 3, 1886 - December 28, 1982) married first: James Garfield Jessie Durst and married second: Oscar Louis Zeis
5.) Lola Gertrude Nichols (January 23, 1888 - May 7, 1937) married Elbert Cox Harrell
%20Nichols%20and%20Stacy%20Mahlon%20Nichols%20with%20children..jpg)
According to the 1880 U.S. Census, Stacy Mahlon Nichols is living in the 92nd Enumeration District, more notably situated at Ball's Ferry. His occupation was noted as a farmer. His household consisted of his wife, Amanda Ellen (Hammans) Nichols, their daughter Mary L. Nichols, and his sister-in-law, Nancy Jane Hammans. Around this time period Stacy pursued additional career opportunities and began running a boarding house out of the above building. In 1886, he registered to vote while living in the Ball's Ferry area, and after that he relocated his family to Ludwig's Bridge on Cottonwood Creek where they remained while Stacy and Amanda operated the boarding house together at Ball's Ferry.
Nichols also purchased the Ball's Ferry flouring mill (a mill which was erected by Alexander Love and formerly owned by Jonathon Carver.) Stacy Mahlon Nichols relocated this flour mill from Ball's Ferry to another milling site which was formerly owned by his father and situated on Ludwig’s Bridge at Cottonwood Creek and Nichols combined the two mills together. Nichols sold out to Andrew Leslie about 1889, and this mill site became known as Leslie’s Flour Mill. Later, it was owned by Luke Lukes and his brother Jason Lukes. The mill was sold about 1912 to Ed Carter, M.T. Howell and Otto Trautz and they relocated the flour mill to Cottonwood as the Cottonwood Milling Company.
Stacy Mahlon Nichols relocated his family south to Oakland, Alameda County, California, where his wife Amanda Ellen (Nichols) Hammans died on October 3, 1897. She is buried in the Mountain View Cemetery at Oakland. Stacy survived his wife and is recorded as living at Alameda, in Oakland, California, in 1898 and according to the 1900 U.S. Census. His occupation at that time is listed as a railroad inspector. A search for Nichols in the 1910 U.S. Census oddly failed to accumulate any results, but a 1911 City of Oakland Directory book lists him as living in Oakland and working as a watchman.
The Shasta County pioneer Stacy Mahlon Nichols died on September 20, 1916, in San Francisco, California, at the age of sixty-years-old. He was buried in the Mountain View Cemetery at Oakland next to his beloved wife, Amanda.
%20Nichols%20and%20Stacy%20Mahlon%20Nichols%20with%20children..jpg)
Above: back row, L-R: my paternal great-great grand aunt Amanda Ellen (Hammans) Nichols and her husband Stacy Mahlon Nichols. Front row L-R: Mabel, Grace and Bertha. Circa 1886. From the collection of Jeremy Tuggle.
Resources:
1860 U.S. Census
1870 U.S. Census
1879 California Voters Registration
Married - The Reading Independent newspaper of Redding, June 12, 1879
1880 U.S. Census
1898 California Voters Registration
1900 U.S. Census
1907 City of Oakland Directory
1911 City of Oakland Directory
1912 City of Oakland Directory
1913 City of Oakland Directory
1914 City of Oakland Directory
1915 City of Oakland Directory
Stacy M. Nichols in the California, Death Index, 1905-1939
Stacy M. Nichols in the San Francisco Area, California, Funeral Home Records, 1850-1931
Stacy M. Nichols in the California, Wills and Probate Records 1850-1953
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)